This group is called The Buried Life, and rather making an entire post in regards to who they are and what they do you can look them up -- http://www.theburiedlife.com/ -- great book. In their book they talk about how they became the four men that they are now, and how they joined The Buried Life. They also talk about different people's stories, and how they were able to make a difference, in the world, my ultimate goal in life.
As a high school junior, last year I was asked to begin looking at what I wanted to do before I died. This was a moment that really hit home. My parents had already both been declared state 4 cancer patients, and ultimately would never recover from it. Finding out bad news like that for the first time when you are 15 shakes your entire world, and hearing it again at 16, sends everything spiraling downward. At that age, you aren't supposed to be thinking about death and dying, or wondering how long you could have a parent. At that age, you are supposed to worry about your friends, clothes, boys, and homework. Now though, I was faced with the assignment, of deciding what I wanted to do before my life ended, what I wanted to be remembered for doing.
When we started the assignment, we were told that in reality we could change our list any time we wanted; regardless, I still believe that keeping your list the same is the best way to go. Unless you spell something wrong, or something awkward like that, then maybe you can be the exception, but realistically if it something that at any moment you truly want to do, it should be there because it will make you happy.
This is my list:
At 46, I have a good amount that I would like to do, but at 18, I have been able to cross a few off my list already. #7: Fall in love, I know I can say that I believe that I am able to cross that off, but to me it serves as a reminder to always fall in love. Fall madly in love every chance you get, because there is no other feeling in the world like it. #18: Change someone's life, it's rather funny that just a day after my 18th birthday I was informed by a good friend about how much I had changed her life, and how now, she was going to use that to change the lives of other's. With that, I could probably cross off #3: Be acknowledged as a person making a change, but I don't think I am ready to do that, not yet. #28: Love myself, even though I am always going to be my harshest critic, thanks to the kind words of someone who means the world to me, no matter how much he has hurt me, I was able to cross this off. #31: Be in a movie, this one almost crosses itself off, between random films I've been in and sneaking into the sequel to 21 Jumpstreet's filming, she can be crossed off. #38: Forgive someone who hurt me, almost there, while I do have that person in mind, I am almost ready to no longer feel hurt.
I know some people may think a list like that would be silly, and some of them are, but at the time they were added, they were everything I wanted, and I know they will still make me happy.
I also know that there are moments in your life, when your world shifts entirely, and you have to change your plans, but that is why you should live like you were dying.
*Anyone game for stealing bowling shoes, or a shopping cart, let me know. (#40 & #45)
**Or any other ones :)
